| Written by Amy Storer-Scalia, on 23-04-2007 01:36 |
Cincy Spotlight: Donna Salyers
Fabulous-Bridal and Fabulous-Furs are staples in the Cincinnati shopping arena. Cincy Chic talks to the owner, Donna Salyers, about her trials and tribulations as a local female business owner, as well as some tips and trends for local brides.
Cincy Chic: Have you always lived in Cincinnati?
Salyers: I grew up in Northern Kentucky and moved to Cincinnati when I
married my husband, Jim, a Cincinnatian. We moved to the south side of
the river about 15 years ago. I had just started Fabulous-Furs and it
was quickly growing. We had a big five-bedroom home and I was also the
yard person. Our daughter had just started college, our son was a high
school senior and it seemed a good time to move from such a large home.
We put it on the market and within a couple days, it sold, along with
all our furniture. We were homeless and needed something quickly, so we
created a loft apartment over The Madison - a banquet facility Jim had
just begun. So, we're here by default but thrilled with how it all
worked out.
Cincy Chic: What's your favorite spot in the Cincinnati area?
Salyers: My husband and I love to roller blade and it's especially
beautiful on the bike trail near Terrace Park, early on Sunday mornings.
Cincy Chic: How did you get your start in the bridal/fur scene?
Salyers: Jim's banquet business grew quickly and much of it is
wedding-related. The Madison brings about 2,000 visitors to Covington
each week and he decided to create a Wedding District to better serve
the bridal market. Fabulous-Bridal opened in November, 2005 and
immediately become a destination for brides from Louisville, Lexington,
Nashville, Indiana and Ohio. It's a very special occasion when a
bride-to-be shops for a dress and we do everything possible to make it
a fairy-tale experience.
Cincy Chic: Where were you 10 years ago and where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Salyers: Ten years ago I was working really hard, building
Fabulous-Furs. In 2017, I'll be working really hard, building
Fabulous-Furs.
Cincy Chic: If you had to pick one thing that made you a success, what would you say it is?
Salyers: Perhaps being totally clueless. About three or four years
after I started Fabulous-Furs, someone asked about my business plan. I
was naïve or clueless enough to ask "what's a business plan?" So, I've
certainly worked from my gut and have always felt that no matter what,
I'd find a way around, over or through. Maybe it's good not to know how
difficult a task can be. But no complaints - I've enjoyed it all.
Cincy Chic: What do you love most about your job?
Salyers: I love that it's always new and exciting. It's always changing
and evolving and challenging. It's never boring or routine. I'm one of
those crazy people who really enjoys working.
Cincy Chic: What's been your biggest bump in the road and how did you overcome it?
Salyers: Many big bumps have appeared, but 9/11 triggered perhaps the
toughest time. We were on a track to double that year and had a million
catalogs in the mail, reaching people September 11-14. We staffed up
and inventory was at an all-time high in order to handle our largest
mailing ever. Of course, the business didn't come because most of us
thought the world was ending. Shopping was the furthest thing from
people's minds and the economy went spiraling out of control. It was
dreadful. We had half-price sales just bring in cash to pay the few
people not laid off yet. We'd take orders during the day then head for
the warehouse in the evening to fill the orders. I feel very lucky and
blessed to have a company that lived through such a dark time.
Cincy Chic: Personally, what's been your greatest success?
Salyers: I love the dynamics of business and how building a business
can help a community, provide jobs, add to economic development,
contribute to personal development and hopefully make the world a bit
better.
Cincy Chic: Any advice to impart to women out there wanting to start their own business/boutique here in Cincinnati?
Salyers: It has to be something you love, because you'll need a real
passion to sustain you over the hard times. Learn everything about
everything and be prepared to be hands-on, then work really hard and
pray.
Cincy Chic: Do you come across many "Bridezillas" in your line of work?
Salyers: No - most brides are thrilled and relieved when a detail as
important as a dress is resolved. Here's a really cute story: Mother of
God Church is a block from Fabulous-Bridal and one of our brides needed
a place to change. It happened to snow that day, so several of the
girls kept the store open so she and wedding party had a place to
comfortably get dressed. They ended up walking her to the church, one
along side sheltering her with an umbrella and another behind, keeping
her dress out of the snow and ice, all laughing hysterically.
Cincy Chic: What's the biggest trend in weddings these days?
Salyers: Uniqueness - it can be color, or some special detail that
makes the dress really yours. It might be a monogram, a four-leaf
clover or any little detail that means something to the bride, the
couple or their families.
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